Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive Salary
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earn a median $47,540 a year nationally. Office and Administrative Support Occupations
U.S. median
$47,540
$22.86 per hour
Range
$33,280 – $66,350
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
1,706,790
across the U.S.
▲2.7%
Pay trend: The median for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive in the U.S. rose from $46,290 (May 2024) to $47,540 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive do
Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.0% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 163,900
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive is projected to shrink 6.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 163,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$40,378
per year · effective tax rate 15.1%
$3,365Monthly
$1,682Twice a month
$1,553Every 2 weeks
$19.41Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,525
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,947
- Medicare (1.45%)$689
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,378
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,280 | $16.00 | $28,920 |
| 25th percentile | $38,830 | $18.67 | $33,380 |
| Median (50th) | $47,540 | $22.86 | $40,378 |
| 75th percentile | $58,000 | $27.88 | $48,783 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,350 | $31.90 | $55,492 |
Best cities for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Haven, CT | $63,800 | $51,497 | $49,252 | 4,780 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $60,230 | $50,575 | $45,508 | 15,780 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $62,940 | $50,108 | $45,378 | 7,970 |
| 4 | Hartford, CT | $55,940 | $45,535 | $44,319 | 6,980 |
| 5 | Bridgeport, CT | $57,440 | $46,673 | $43,675 | 5,800 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $59,330 | $47,105 | $43,509 | 28,540 |
| 7 | Madison, WI | $51,410 | $42,007 | $43,178 | 4,630 |
| 8 | Nashville, TN | $49,000 | $41,552 | $43,131 | 12,100 |
| 9 | Toledo, OH | $46,780 | $39,264 | $42,932 | 3,100 |
| 10 | San Francisco, CA | $62,110 | $49,502 | $42,817 | 20,270 |
| 11 | Trenton, NJ | $54,050 | $44,171 | $42,809 | 3,680 |
| 12 | Des Moines, IA | $47,500 | $39,193 | $42,740 | 3,110 |
| 13 | Omaha, NE | $47,760 | $39,262 | $42,717 | 7,090 |
| 14 | Lincoln, NE | $47,230 | $38,860 | $42,432 | 2,890 |
| 15 | Memphis, TN | $45,960 | $39,109 | $42,427 | 5,500 |
| 16 | Knoxville, TN | $46,000 | $39,141 | $42,283 | 4,790 |
| 17 | Cincinnati, OH | $47,850 | $40,094 | $42,040 | 9,670 |
| 18 | Columbus, OH | $47,870 | $40,109 | $42,013 | 9,570 |
| 19 | Lexington, KY | $47,790 | $39,024 | $42,012 | 2,500 |
| 20 | Dayton, OH | $46,310 | $38,899 | $41,965 | 3,640 |
| 21 | Austin, TX | $48,470 | $41,126 | $41,937 | 13,870 |
| 22 | Spokane, WA | $49,550 | $41,993 | $41,849 | 2,470 |
| 23 | Santa Fe, NM | $50,170 | $41,299 | $41,815 | 2,410 |
| 24 | Providence, RI | $51,800 | $42,476 | $41,736 | 7,020 |
| 25 | Kansas City, MO | $46,810 | $38,529 | $41,634 | 15,930 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New Haven, CT — $63,800
- San Jose, CA — $62,940
- San Francisco, CA — $62,110
- Seattle, WA — $60,230
- Boston, MA — $59,330
- Bridgeport, CT — $57,440
- Hartford, CT — $55,940
- Salem, OR — $55,660
- San Diego, CA — $55,380
- Portland, OR — $55,360
- Sacramento, CA — $55,020
- Oxnard, CA — $54,170
- Minneapolis, MN — $54,080
- Trenton, NJ — $54,050
- Washington, DC — $53,660
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $59,910 | +7.4% | $47,870 | $39,480 – $84,290 | 11,800 |
| Massachusetts | $57,940 | +7.9% | $46,058 | $41,510 – $78,400 | 37,750 |
| Washington | $57,330 | +5.1% | $48,245 | $43,250 – $74,750 | 31,710 |
| Connecticut | $57,210 | +2.7% | $46,499 | $40,700 – $78,300 | 22,650 |
| California | $55,400 | +4.2% | $44,600 | $38,060 – $78,170 | 158,630 |
| Rhode Island | $52,140 | +1.2% | $42,736 | $38,000 – $72,800 | 5,200 |
| Oregon | $51,740 | +3.6% | $40,055 | $38,480 – $70,320 | 23,150 |
| Minnesota | $51,400 | +3.0% | $41,508 | $38,080 – $66,830 | 31,330 |
| Hawaii | $50,830 | +0.5% | $40,678 | $38,480 – $68,120 | 7,020 |
| New Jersey | $50,260 | +1.3% | $41,335 | $36,150 – $72,180 | 65,960 |
| Maine | $49,820 | +6.0% | $40,029 | $39,530 – $63,470 | 6,740 |
| New York | $49,600 | +0.8% | $39,952 | $37,330 – $64,840 | 122,490 |
| Vermont | $48,920 | +2.8% | $40,282 | $39,330 – $61,740 | 3,360 |
| Colorado | $48,690 | +2.7% | $39,868 | $37,300 – $64,960 | 29,120 |
| Maryland | $48,680 | +4.0% | $39,346 | $35,360 – $67,070 | 54,890 |
| Alaska | $48,530 | +4.9% | $41,174 | $35,360 – $64,620 | 5,390 |
| Illinois | $48,310 | +0.9% | $38,751 | $31,930 – $76,790 | 74,280 |
| New Hampshire | $48,080 | +4.2% | $40,812 | $34,380 – $63,690 | 9,050 |
| Delaware | $47,970 | +2.7% | $38,738 | $35,930 – $64,170 | 6,320 |
| Arizona | $47,940 | +4.2% | $39,710 | $36,420 – $67,980 | 31,220 |
| Wisconsin | $47,710 | +2.5% | $39,197 | $36,680 – $61,940 | 28,100 |
| Virginia | $47,620 | +3.3% | $38,519 | $34,040 – $66,700 | 31,580 |
| North Dakota | $47,480 | +4.4% | $40,330 | $34,920 – $60,780 | 5,800 |
| Utah | $47,050 | +4.2% | $38,833 | $31,600 – $63,850 | 14,870 |
| Nebraska | $46,760 | +4.8% | $38,504 | $35,900 – $62,130 | 16,240 |
| Nevada | $46,570 | +1.8% | $39,599 | $34,180 – $63,210 | 16,790 |
| New Mexico | $46,450 | +8.1% | $38,473 | $33,870 – $61,820 | 25,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,270 | +3.4% | $37,937 | $32,040 – $61,800 | 65,310 |
| Ohio | $46,230 | +1.8% | $38,837 | $32,130 – $63,150 | 54,790 |
| Michigan | $46,020 | +2.5% | $37,452 | $33,360 – $63,950 | 40,830 |
| Florida | $45,900 | +5.2% | $39,061 | $33,380 – $63,340 | 104,000 |
| Tennessee | $45,810 | +5.6% | $38,988 | $29,660 – $63,130 | 34,580 |
| North Carolina | $45,790 | +6.5% | $37,654 | $31,720 – $61,750 | 43,690 |
| Wyoming | $45,450 | +4.5% | $38,699 | $35,140 – $61,150 | 2,250 |
| Iowa | $45,150 | +2.6% | $37,394 | $33,880 – $60,760 | 12,830 |
| Texas | $45,140 | +4.1% | $38,450 | $29,810 – $63,020 | 149,650 |
| South Carolina | $44,880 | +7.6% | $36,705 | $29,100 – $61,660 | 30,180 |
| Indiana | $44,270 | +7.7% | $36,474 | $31,220 – $60,160 | 20,100 |
| Kentucky | $44,200 | +6.3% | $36,265 | $30,470 – $60,470 | 18,420 |
| Montana | $43,940 | +5.3% | $36,177 | $30,430 – $55,970 | 4,520 |
| Idaho | $43,710 | +7.0% | $36,093 | $29,890 – $58,820 | 7,570 |
| Missouri | $43,540 | +8.2% | $36,055 | $30,890 – $60,270 | 33,180 |
| Kansas | $42,270 | +8.4% | $34,585 | $30,340 – $58,690 | 32,120 |
| South Dakota | $41,700 | +5.0% | $35,686 | $31,200 – $51,480 | 6,120 |
| Alabama | $41,630 | +3.6% | $33,813 | $29,170 – $59,090 | 45,050 |
| Georgia | $41,600 | +6.1% | $34,069 | $26,330 – $62,090 | 44,430 |
| West Virginia | $40,370 | +4.2% | $33,506 | $28,820 – $57,970 | 8,820 |
| Oklahoma | $39,660 | +2.7% | $32,808 | $27,110 – $56,630 | 20,120 |
| Louisiana | $38,790 | +2.6% | $32,570 | $26,680 – $56,340 | 28,040 |
| Arkansas | $37,630 | +1.5% | $31,161 | $28,540 – $55,060 | 8,590 |
| Mississippi | $37,340 | +3.7% | $31,421 | $25,770 – $57,870 | 14,720 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $45,930 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.8% |
| Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $55,570 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.2% |
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 | High school diploma or equivalent | 0.0% |
| New Accounts Clerk | $47,670 | High school diploma or equivalent | -6.5% |
| Bill and Account Collector | $47,030 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.4% |
| Meter Readers, Utilities | $48,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | -10.5% |
| Correspondence Clerk | $46,800 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
| Billing and Posting Clerk | $48,500 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.1% |
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $48,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $46,380 | High school diploma or equivalent | -4.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive make?
The national median salary for secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive is $47,540 a year ($22.86 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,280 and the top 10% earn over $66,350. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $59,910. After taxes and local prices, New Haven, CT offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive are there in the U.S.?
About 1,706,790 people work as secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive nationwide.
All 111 cities
- Akron, OH
- Albany, NY
- Albuquerque, NM
- Allentown, PA
- Anchorage, AK
- Atlanta, GA
- Atlantic City, NJ
- Austin, TX
- Bakersfield, CA
- Baltimore, MD
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Birmingham, AL
- Boise City, ID
- Boston, MA
- Bridgeport, CT
- Buffalo, NY
- Cape Coral, FL
- Charleston, SC
- Charlotte, NC
- Chattanooga, TN
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Columbia, SC
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Dayton, OH
- Deltona, FL
- Denver, CO
- Des Moines, IA
- Detroit, MI
- Durham, NC
- El Paso, TX
- Fresno, CA
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Greensboro, NC
- Greenville, SC
- Harrisburg, PA
- Hartford, CT
- Houston, TX
- Huntsville, AL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jackson, MS
- Jacksonville, FL
- Kansas City, MO
- Kiryas Joel, NY
- Knoxville, TN
- Lakeland, FL
- Lancaster, PA
- Lansing, MI
- Las Cruces, NM
- Las Vegas, NV
- Lexington, KY
- Lincoln, NE
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Madison, WI
- McAllen, TX
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Mobile, AL
- Montgomery, AL
- Nashville, TN
- New Haven, CT
- New Orleans, LA
- New York, NY
- North Port, FL
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Omaha, NE
- Orlando, FL
- Oxnard, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, ME
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Provo, UT
- Raleigh, NC
- Reno, NV
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, CA
- Rochester, NY
- Sacramento, CA
- Salem, OR
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Santa Fe, NM
- Scranton, PA
- Seattle, WA
- Spokane, WA
- Springfield, MO
- St. Louis, MO
- Syracuse, NY
- Tallahassee, FL
- Toledo, OH
- Topeka, KS
- Trenton, NJ
- Tucson, AZ
- Tulsa, OK
- Urban Honolulu, HI
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- Wichita, KS
- Worcester, MA